What Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling in Today’s Market

The homeowners winning in today’s real estate market aren’t the ones waiting on the sidelines—they’re the ones who start with the right expectations from day one.

This year, many sellers didn’t get the outcome they hoped for. But it wasn’t because the market wasn’t working. It was because their pricing and timing expectations didn’t match today’s reality.

Realtor.com recently revealed that 57% more homes have been pulled off the market compared to last year. These homeowners listed… but didn’t sell. And the truth is, it often came down to two things:

Price and timing.

The good news? You can learn from their experience and avoid the same mistakes.

1. Price It Right from Day One

Let’s start with the biggest deal-breaker: pricing.

Today, 8 in 10 sellers believe they’ll get their full asking price or more. But the actual market story is very different.

According to Redfin, only 1 in 4 sellers (25.3%) are getting more than list price.

Why the mismatch?

A few years ago, sellers could price almost anything—and buyers would still line up. But now:

• Buyers have more choices

• They’re more selective

• And they won’t pay extra just because a seller hopes they will

If your price even feels high, buyers will scroll past it instantly.

Many sellers who overpriced simply pulled their listing instead of adjusting the price—which is unfortunate, because the average price cut right now is only 4% (HousingWire).

Imagine this:

✔ They listed too high
✔ Refused to adjust
❌ Pulled the listing
✔ When all they needed was a 4% change

Starting just a bit lower would’ve helped them sell faster and with less stress.

Your agent can help you pinpoint the sweet spot: competitive, realistic, and still great for your bottom line.

Plus, if you’ve owned your home for years, your equity gives you far more flexibility than you think.

2. Don’t Rush the Process

Another common misconception:
Expecting your home to sell in a weekend.

Many sellers still compare today’s market to the ultra-fast 2020–2021 era. But those days were the exception, not the norm.

Today, most markets are back to normal timelines:

⏱️ Around 60 days from listing to sold.

That slower pace feels unusual only because recent years were unusually fast.

Think of it like this:

You’re driving 65 mph on the freeway.
You exit and now go 25 mph.
It feels slow… but it’s the correct speed.

That’s today’s housing market.

Buyers are taking their time, comparing options, and making thoughtful decisions—creating a more stable, healthy market overall.

So if your home doesn’t get an offer in 48 hours?

That’s normal.

If you want to maximize your selling speed, talk to your agent about:

• Professional staging

• High-quality photos

• Smart pricing strategies

• Minor pre-listing improvements

With the right plan, your home can still sell quickly.

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t let fear or outdated expectations discourage you. Let the data guide you.

The listings that didn’t sell this year weren’t doomed—they just started with the wrong strategy.

You can absolutely win in today’s market if you:

✔ Price your home right
✔ Stay patient
✔ Work with a knowledgeable local agent
✔ Understand today’s buyer mindset

Success isn’t about waiting for perfect conditions.
It’s about starting with the right expectations from the very beginning.